The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-12-16
GOVERNOR BoowELL.
Action Taken by the City Government
Yesterday.

Y, sterday afternoon the City Council con-
vened at o'clock in their respective rooms
to take action on the death of Governor Bod
well. In the aldermen Mayor Chapman pre-
sided, and in the Common Council President
Hobbs.
After the two boards had come to order
a message was received and accepted by the
lower board for joint convention. Hav-
ing assembled in joint convention. the May
or presiding, Alderman Marks offered the
following resolutions:
The Mayor, Aldermen and Common Council of
the city Of Portland, assembled in City Council
upon the announcement of the death OF the GOV
ernor of the State, approaching the profound re-
spect entertained for him personally by the citi-
zens of Portland and sharing deeply in the gener-
al sense of public loss at the sudden close of his
useful and hon0red life. thereby resolve
That the news of the death of the. chief magis-
at his home ia Halloween this morning. is received
by The city of Portland with the deepest regret;
that his private life and personal character, his
long and eminently successful and honorable bus
mess career and great influence in developing the
resources and industries of Maine, his courage,
energy and good judgment in protecting and man.
aging large business enterprises his broad and
generous spirit and ready encouragement and aid
to all that tended to serve the public interests,
justly entitle him to respect and remembrance as
a distinguished citizen who has deserved well of
the State.
That he brought to the discharge of the duties
of his high Office all the resources OF his practical
experience aud ability keen sense of the obliga-
tons and duties which the chief magistracy de-
volved np0n him, spirit OF yigilant fidelity to ev-
cry trust and an ncorruptible honesty of purpose
land that he leaves to his family and the State
both in his private and in his official life the ega-
cy of an unsullled name.
records of the city and a copy OF them be trans
mitted to Governor Bodwells family as an ex-
preston of sincere and respectful sympathy.
Alderman Smith seconded the resolutions
and in seconding them said;
Mr. President it is eminently proper that the
government Of the first city in Maine should take
action upon the death Of our governor, who was
identified with so many national enterprises and
one of US. Governor Bodwell ardestly loved his
adopted State. No citizen possessed a more pub
lie spirit, neither has there been within the POT,
taken greater interest in every business enter
prise which attracted the notice of the men who
of their several localities. He did so without os-
tentati0n, for he was an unassnming man. His
was life which illustrates how much one man
can accomplish. / know of no man in Maine
whose death could affect so many business circles
as his. 1t will be a surprise to many when 1t is
learned how extensive were his operations In the
But the loss of such man should be
estimated from higher plane than the
life has demonstrated to our young men
that they with character like his can
attain the highest and most h0n0red POSITIONS.
He was the architect of his own fortune. He was
an honest man. He was temperate man. He
was an industrious man. He was frugal man.
He 'was generous man. His ear was ever open
and quick to catch the cry of sorrow and hunger,
and his voice and purse responded most genert us
ly to them. He loved every good work, and did
what he could to make the world better The
loss of such man Is no ordinary one. Of ms
official acts am not going to speak at TINS time.
lie may have made mistakes, who Is there INA 5nat
has not? But no one who knew Joseph X. Bod
well will for moment impugn to him any dishon-
est motive. He lies dead amid the people OF a
community for whom he has accomplished so
much. Their sorrow is unfeigned and the repre-
sentatiyes of the people OF our beautiful city that
so proudly sits by the sea, voice their unanimous
sentiment in uniting with citizens OF the entire
State in mourning the death OF a good man and a
worthy chief magistrate.
Mr.. Smith also referred to the fact that
Gov. Bodwell was the third Maine governor
to die in office, the first being Enoch Lincoln
whose father and brother were governors of
Massachusetts; Edward Kavanaugh. who
served the unexpired term of Gov. Fairfield
and the third, the mechanic governor,
Joseph r. Bodwell.
The resolutions were unanimously adopted
by rising vote.
On motion of Alderman Marks, commit
tee was appointed to attend the funeral. The
Mayor appointed Aldermen Marks, Wilson
and Smith, and President Hobbs appointed
Messrs. Dewey. Gushing and MCGOWAN.
On notion, of Mr.. Cushing President
Hobbs was joined to the committee.
The convention then dissolved and the
Boards adjourned.